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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$81,770
Median Annual Salary
▼
-0.4% vs 2024
$87,190
Mean Salary
$81,770
Median Salary
$39.31
Hourly Rate
11,630 people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California earn a median salary of $81,770 per year ($6,814/month).
This is 36.4% above the national average of $59,966.
California ranks #1 out of 50 states for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators pay.
Approximately 11,630 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries decreased by 0.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.88
Operation and Control
3.75
Monitoring
3.62
Active Listening
3.38
Quality Control Analysis
3.38
Key Knowledge Areas
Chemistry
3.98
Biology
3.9
Mechanical
3.89
Mathematics
3.62
Public Safety and Security
3.48
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(41.8% of workers)
Salary Range: Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California range from $56,030 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $123,380 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $65,250 and $103,550.
How much do Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators make in California?
The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California is $81,770 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $87,190.
What is the salary range for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California?
Salaries for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California range from $56,030 at the 10th percentile to $123,380 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $65,250 and $103,550.
What is the starting salary for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California?
Entry-level Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators positions in California typically start around $56,030 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $65,250 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 11,630 people are employed as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in California is approximately $39.31 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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